THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Col. Mercer to
Gen. John Forbes
(Pittsburgh, Jan. 8, 1759)
Mercer, Hugh in: Stevens, et all.
The Papers of Col. Henry
Bouquet, Series 21655,
1943, pp. 25-26.
(January 8, 1759)
COL. HUGH MERCER TO GENERAL JOHN FORBES
[B. M., Add. MSS. 21655, f. 26, L.]
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Pittsburgh 8th January 1759 |
To Genl Forbes
Sir
I have Sent inclosed for your Excellencies perusal, the minutes of Conferences held here with nine Chiefs of the Six Nations, Shawneese and Delaware Indians.
What the Chiefs of the Six Nations delivered by themselves in private appeared to be of Such Consequence that I have lost not time in communicating it, and as Captain Ward is the only Person here, that understands any thing of their Language, he accompanies two of these Chiefs as Interpreter.
The Intelligence they bring is, that twelve considerable Nations of Indians, inhabiting on the other Side of Lake Erie are intirely in the French Interest, and engaged by them to cut off the Six Nations as Allies to the English.
This Stroke they have reason to dread, as they are by no means that powerfull and Warlike People they were on our first Settling America: and should the Shawanese and Delawares Join in the Confederacy against them, their ruin would soon be compleated, unless a very powerfull aid is afforded them by the English.
This Support from us they come now to Supplicate but are obliged to cover this design of waiting on your Excellency, as well from the Shawanese & Delawares, as from the French, for they observe too great an intimacy Still Subsist between these. At the Same time they appear to be convinced that the French may be easily drove from this Country; that one or two Defeats will make their Indians drop their Alliance, and universally join the English.
The Strength of the Ennemy at Wenango, does not amount to one Hundert; at the Carrying Place, and Presqu'Isle both the Garrisons don't make up that number: Their Magazines of Provisions, and arms is forming a little above Kuskuskus, as most convenient for assembling the Lake Indians, to fall down on this Place. They may from thence move in Concert with a body from Vinango if they propose bringing artillery, for the two Places are about an equal distance from us.
Not a word of this we have heard from the Delawares, tho' Hundreds of them from that Place have been here, living upon us at a very great Expense of Provisions, and pretending the utmost friendship: they have alarmed us by their account of the force at Vinango ready to fall down the River, but carefully concealed every Circumstance that would make their own vilainy, and treachery appear.
It is however necessary to Keep fair with them, till Such a time as a Sufficient Force is Sent to defeat any designs the Ennemy can form on this River: Then & not before the Delawares & Shaw: Indians from pretended, will become real Friends. I mentioned in my letter to Col. Bouquet the necessity of Sending an Interpreter here, with a large quantity of Indian Goods, the Constant Sollicitations of all our Friends obliges me again to repeat it, as a measure equally necessary to gain the Indian Interest, as a Body of Troops is to Secure the Country.
Give me leave to hint to yr Exy that these Chiefs of the Six Nations expect Some genteel Presents, rather to testify the generosity of the English to their Country men at their Return home, than to satisfy their own avarice
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I am &ca |
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Signed H. MERCER |
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[Endorsed] Letters from Col Mercer, 8th Jany 1759 relating to Indian Conferences at Pittsburgh
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